OXYGEN LITRES INCREASED FROM 8 LITRES TO 10 LITRES

[horseygirl_0103]

The Oxygen service came round today (24/8) to do my home visit appointment

They did the blood gas test in my ear (on my earlobe) which i prefer instead of having it done with a needle in my wrist They did 2 tests - so as always i numbed my earlobe

Although my SATS were ok & in the 90s i was told that the oxygen in my blood was only 6.5 (i dont know what the readings should say)

So theyve had to change the litres of oxygen & its been increased so now its 10 litres when Im moving about & 8 litres when Im at rest - which hopefully would be a bit easier .I ll still be tired though from moving = as thats the ILD

I was told the dials only go up to certain nos on the concentrrators & did i want two so I showed them that 10 is present on the dial on my current one & it would be unbearable having 2 machines in one room as they make the room warm

So in due course those results will be passed onto my specialist in respiratory section at the hospital to be discussed in my next appointment amongst other things

I made an appointment with my dentist & told them im on oxygen & asked them if they had oxygen tanks on their premises so we could request to be hooked up to it during my appointment & they confirmed they did & when we asked them if i could be attached to it they refused point blank saying its only used for people in an emergency - to which i advised them that someone with a lung conditon & needs oxygen 24/7 is an emergency

So Ive told them Im bringing my ambulatories with me & mum is going to have to sit in with me ready to change to a new one when my tank runs out

Im very concerned about going to the dentist because im terrified the tank will run out on the way or half way on the way to the dentist & on the way home & worried i might not have any at all if my tanks have all emptied

[sassy59]

Good to hear how things are with you horseygirl and I’m hoping the dentist works out well. I’m sure everything will be fine so try not to worry. Take good care. Xxxx🩷

[CDPO16]

Hi I would be worried too about the trip to the dentist. I realise it's not very practical and I don't kmow how close you are able to park to the dentist's surgery but could you ring your respiratory team and get extra cylinders for that day? I worry about my supply lasting when I'm out and my prescription is no where near as high as yours. Best wishes x

[maisied]

Would a domicillary dentist be better for you

[Zand60]

Hi there,I know exactly where you're coming from on the stress of going to the dentist with oxygen, I'm dreading my check-up as I now don't have my little inogen 5 anymore. If I go out I have to take the tanks. And I've never heard of the ear lobe test, that would be amazing if they could do that with me as my wrists look like a bruised pincushion 🤣.

I hope you get sorted, glad you've got your Mum ❤️

Lesley xx

[CDPO16 in reply to Zand60]

My respiratory nurse takes blood from my earlobe too. She never attempts to take an arterial sample from my wrist. I have often wondered how accurate the earlobe test is but not questioned it.

[Zand60]

Oh I forgot to say, I got one of those old ladies 4 wheeled shoppers to fit my tanks in while I walked about town etc. They have them on eBay and gumtree. It helped me a lot in keeping my independence to the last 👍 I wanted an arm held high with a sword in it but the thumb was all I could find 🤣.We're here, good luck xxx

[Tykelady in reply to Zand60]

My son put two hooks on the handle of my Prestige walker/shopper to hang my oxygen bag as I cannot use it as a backpack. Two birds, one stone, I can breathe and walk with support.

[PaulineHM]

Wow that’s a lot of oxygen to manage everyday. Really feel for you with that high level of oxygen needed.

Dentist: I take my 02 flasks into the dentist with me. You don’t want to hang about there either, waiting around do you, using 02 just waiting to be seen.

Can you explain that to the dentist that you need to be seen as soon as arrive and leave as quickly as you can after being seen so that you don’t run out of oxygen ?

Hope all goes well for you horseygirl, let us know won’t you ?

Sending love and light.

[leo60]

Hi Horseygirl I hope that added bit of oxygen has made you feel a little better.

I know where you are coming from re: earlobe v wrist ! I was in hospital for two months, came out in early February and I still have brown marks on my wrist from the ABGs! My record there was 7 in one day! I became well known for my tolerance of them, so students practised on me! It makes me laugh when nurses get all concerned about a simple blood test!

Re: two concentrators, I have one up and one downstairs. I found in the summer it was (heat wise) too much and currently run off just one which is in the sitting room that I don't use much. It also means that I don't have to swap to cannisters to go upstairs! In the winter I am going to have one in the hall where it will heat the core of the house, which will be free (ish) as the electricity is paid for Is it feasible for you to have yours in a different room to yourself? And in the winter, two may be better than one!

Good luck with the dentist, I'm sure something can be done. I think someone mentioned speaking to your oxygen supplier? Sounds like a good plan to me I have to say, you are lucky to have a dentist, I haven't had one for over 4 years .

All the best with everything, Laurie xx

[Mellywelly]

Wow, your dentist sounds really helpful. As you probably know the more you worry the more rapid your breathing will be. Easy for me to say but I would try not to worry and as others have said ask for a spare. Surely if you tell them why they will get you one. I don't think they will refuse. They shouldn't put it that way. Good luck 👍

[watergazer]

I’m hoping the dentist works out well for you. Take care x

[Rich1957]

Out of interest do you have liquid oxygen or the normal bottles ?

I’ve just gone onto liquid ( I’m on 8L upon movement) and found the canister lasts nearly 2 hours rather than less than an hour with the normal ones . Also they weigh about half the weight of normal oxygen ones and as you know the cylinders that go up to 15L are so heavy 🤦‍♂️

[Millyboo710]

I’m astonished that your concentrators go up to 10 litres. How big are your oxygen cylinders? Again, I am amazed they go up to 10 litres. My concentrators and cylinders go up to 5 litres.